Organic Landscape Design

Broomfield Enterprise
July 4, 2001
By Kate Larson

Brunner Farmhouse upgrades may total $300,000. Three funding options go to Council July 10. Big improvements could be on
the way for Broomfield?s historic Brunner Farmhouse.

City council will consider three scenarios at its July 10 meeting aimed at sprucing up the 82-year-old house. If the project gets
approval, council members will have three options to choose from, ranging in cost from $128,000 to more than $300,000. The
least expensive option calls for a paint job and basic landscaping. The costliest plan includes preparing the house to
accommodate a live-in caretaker and public access. In a report to Council, city staff recommends an option somewhere in the
middle, with improvements totaling $187,425.

"It really gets us going and then we can see how this projects evolves," said Kristan Pritz, Broomfield's director of open space and
trails.

Pritz's department oversees the Brunner Farmhouse. Staff's suggested scenario includes painting the house's exterior, adding a
planting area with irrigation and a gravel driveway for emergency access. With maintenance costs, the enhancements would total
$194,425. The plan includes several options for the dirt bike course west of the farmhouse. Council can opt to keep the course as
is or remove it to make way for landscaping or a pond. Or the course could be moved to another site.

Pritz said the suggested Brunner Farmhouse improvements lay the groundwork for possible public access in the future. She added
that the final price tag could be less, as volunteer groups may keep maintenance costs down.

Broomfield City councilman Tom Brunner said he likes the recommended plan. "The first thing we need to do is get it looking
good," Brunner said. "It's been sitting there for a long time, I think it's time for the city to step up to the plate."

Growing up, Brunner spent a lot of time in the farmhouse, as his grandmother lived there. His uncle then took over the residence.
The 1919 farmhouse at 120th Avenue and Ash Street was the birthplace and home of Broomfield?s second mayor, Clyde A.
Brunner. The house was moved to the 119-acre open space site north of Midway Boulevard and east of Main Street in July 1998
with the development of the Broomfield Town Center. It was donated to the city for preservation.

At that time, City Council requested that residents help determine how to use the building.

The Brunner Farmhouse advisers group formed and prepared a report regarding uses for the site. Some recommendations included
restoring the house to be use for small group meetings, historical tours and special events.

When Pritz was hired in June 2000, the project gained momentum. She visited several area sites with similar structures to gather
ideas.

"I think we're also really looking to try to get some private involvement," Brunner said.

Broomfield's rotary Club, Denver Botanic Gardens and the Network of Interfaith Compassionate Entrepreneurs would all like to
contribute to the landscaping surrounding the farmhouse. N.I.C.E., a non-profit business that connects people and resources with
those who are struggling, currently works an organic garden on land donated by Broomfield Presbyterian Church. If Council
approves the funding, Denver Botanic Gardens staff has volunteered to help design some of the beds around the house.

"It is a unique project," said Rob Proctor, director of horticulture at the gardens. "We'd like to just provide technical assistance and
not put our stamp on it, this is about the heritage of Broomfield and the native and cultivated plants that would have been growing
at the time the farmhouse was operating."

(Picture, not shown, which is part of the article includes a caption, which reads "Andrew Lopez with Network of Interfaith
Compassionate Entrepreneurs weeds corn in the vegetable garden the nonprofit organization planted adjacent to Presbyterian
Church of Broomfield. The group has expressed interest in planting gardens around the Brunner Farmhouse, in the background.")